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Last-gasp try saves Australia against Fiji
Last-gasp try saves Australia against Fiji

Yahoo

time06-07-2025

  • Sport
  • Yahoo

Last-gasp try saves Australia against Fiji

Fraser McReight (R) scored one of Australia's tries in their win over Fiji (SAEED KHAN) Wallabies skipper Harry Wilson scored a last-gasp converted try to deny a valiant Fiji 21-18 Sunday and avoid an embarrassing defeat ahead of their three-Test series with British and Irish Lions. In their lone game before facing Andy Farrell's tourists, Australia blew a 14-0 lead in front of a full house in Newcastle, north of Sydney, before Wilson saved their blushes with a minute to go. Advertisement It helped erase memories of their stunning 22-15 upset by Fiji during a torturous 2023 World Cup campaign when led by Eddie Jones -- their first defeat to the Pacific Islanders in 69 years. But it will have done nothing to strike fear into the Lions, with Australia guilty of missed chances and silly mistakes, denied two tries for forward passes. They were without injured big guns Rob Valetini, Will Skelton and Jake Gordon and their presence was missed. With Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his Fijian counterpart Sitiveni Rabuka watching, the hosts came out of the blocks with all guns blazing. Advertisement They launched relentless attacks and got their reward on eight minutes with hooker David Porecki, in his first start since the 2023 World Cup, finishing off a driving maul from a lineout as the Fiji defence collapsed. Noah Lolesio added the extras for a 7-0 lead. Australia looked to have nabbed their second try from a sweeping left-right move that saw wing Harry Potter dot down. But the referee called them back for a forward pass by fullback Tom Wright. Undeterred, they kept pressing, spending sustained periods inside the Fijian half, but chances went begging as they conceded a host of turnovers and breakdown penalties. Advertisement They finally converted another opportunity two minutes before half-time, with flanker Fraser McReight finishing an attack aided by superb hands from Len Ikitau and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii. But Australia then went to sleep as the hooter sounded when Fiji collected from the restart and strung together a series of passes that ended with Salesi Rayasi's try to send them to the break trailing the Wallabies 14-5. Fiji slotted a penalty after the restart to stay in touch and were fortunate when another Wallabies try was disallowed. As in the first case, the referee saw a forward pass in the build-up, again by Wright. Advertisement It was a costly error as Jiuta Wainiqolo ran the length of the field minutes later, carving through the defence to set up Lekima Tagitagivalu for a stunning converted try to put Fiji in front 15-14. A ragged Australia had a huge let off almost immediately when another Fiji try was disallowed and adding to their woes, Lolesio was helped off the field with a neck injury. Caleb Muntz drilled a penalty to boost Fiji's lead and they looked destined to win before a desperate late surge from Australia that saw Wilson bust his way over with Ben Donaldson converting the kick. mp/tc

Wallabies plan to throw everything at Fiji, says skipper Wilson
Wallabies plan to throw everything at Fiji, says skipper Wilson

France 24

time05-07-2025

  • Sport
  • France 24

Wallabies plan to throw everything at Fiji, says skipper Wilson

The last time the two sides met, the Pacific Islanders pulled off a stunning 22-15 upset during Australia's torturous 2023 World Cup campaign under head coach Eddie Jones. It marked a low point in Australian rugby and led to Jones's exit and Joe Schmidt taking over. With the clash in Newcastle on Sunday being the Wallabies only warm-up before the first Lions Test in Brisbane on July 19, Wilson wants to avoid another embarrassing slip-up. "We're going out there to win," said the No.8. "The last time we played Fiji two years ago we had a tough loss there and it's such a massive battle. "Obviously we've been keeping our eyes on the Lions, watching the Super clubs versus them, but for us a Test match against Fiji, it doesn't get much bigger than that. "So we'll be throwing everything at them to make sure we go out there and get the result." Hooker David Porecki was captain during the loss to Fiji and will be making his first start for Australia since the World Cup after being sidelined for most of 2024 with an Achilles injury. He was keen to shut down chat about the Lions, focusing on one game at a time. "My head space is that Fiji don't care that there's a Lions series going on," he told reporters. "The most important thing for us is to perform. We've got a Test match ahead on Sunday. That's the most important thing for me." Wilson said the team was quietly confident, feeling they had "a lot of growth" last year. "We really want to expand from there and just keep putting out performances we're proud of," he added. They go into the match without flanker Rob Valetini, lock Will Skelton and scrum-half Jake Gordon, who are all widely expected to start against the Lions if they can shake off niggling injuries. Their absence has opened the door to Langi Gleeson, Porecki and Tate McDermott to make starts and stake their claims to be in the matchday XV for the first Lions Test. © 2025 AFP

Wallabies plan to throw everything at Fiji, says skipper Wilson
Wallabies plan to throw everything at Fiji, says skipper Wilson

Yahoo

time05-07-2025

  • Sport
  • Yahoo

Wallabies plan to throw everything at Fiji, says skipper Wilson

Australia skipper Harry Wilson says the Wallabies plan to throw everything at Fiji (HENRY NICHOLLS) Skipper Harry Wilson vowed Saturday Australia will throw everything they have at Fiji to avoid a morale-sapping loss ahead of the British and Irish Lions series. The last time the two sides met, the Pacific Islanders pulled off a stunning 22-15 upset during Australia's torturous 2023 World Cup campaign under head coach Eddie Jones. Advertisement It marked a low point in Australian rugby and led to Jones's exit and Joe Schmidt taking over. With the clash in Newcastle on Sunday being the Wallabies only warm-up before the first Lions Test in Brisbane on July 19, Wilson wants to avoid another embarrassing slip-up. "We're going out there to win," said the No.8. "The last time we played Fiji two years ago we had a tough loss there and it's such a massive battle. "Obviously we've been keeping our eyes on the Lions, watching the Super clubs versus them, but for us a Test match against Fiji, it doesn't get much bigger than that. Advertisement "So we'll be throwing everything at them to make sure we go out there and get the result." Hooker David Porecki was captain during the loss to Fiji and will be making his first start for Australia since the World Cup after being sidelined for most of 2024 with an Achilles injury. He was keen to shut down chat about the Lions, focusing on one game at a time. "My head space is that Fiji don't care that there's a Lions series going on," he told reporters. "The most important thing for us is to perform. We've got a Test match ahead on Sunday. That's the most important thing for me." Advertisement Wilson said the team was quietly confident, feeling they had "a lot of growth" last year. "We really want to expand from there and just keep putting out performances we're proud of," he added. They go into the match without flanker Rob Valetini, lock Will Skelton and scrum-half Jake Gordon, who are all widely expected to start against the Lions if they can shake off niggling injuries. Their absence has opened the door to Langi Gleeson, Porecki and Tate McDermott to make starts and stake their claims to be in the matchday XV for the first Lions Test. mp/dh

Harry Wilson to captain Australia in rugby test against Fiji on Sunday
Harry Wilson to captain Australia in rugby test against Fiji on Sunday

Associated Press

time04-07-2025

  • Sport
  • Associated Press

Harry Wilson to captain Australia in rugby test against Fiji on Sunday

NEWCASTLE, Australia (AP) — Loose forward Harry Wilson will captain the Wallabies while Tate McDermott and Noah Lolesio will form the halfback pairing for Sunday's test match against Fiji in Newcastle north of Sydney. The starting roles by the trio could indicate they are favored by head coach Joe Schmidt for those positions for the first of three test matches against the British and Irish Lions in Brisbane on July 19. Schmidt on Friday also named rugby league convert Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali'i to his first Wallabies start on home soil, combining with Len Ikitau in the centers to face Fiji. The 21-year-old Sua'ali'i will line up at outside center after spending the Super Rugby season at fullback with the New South Wales Waratahs, with Ikitau reverting to the No. 12 jersey. Schmidt opted for experience in the Australian front row, with former captain David Porecki called back into the team, 643 days since he last played for the Wallabies. The 32-year-old Porecki last played at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, where Australia failed to get past the group stage. He didn't play in 2024 due to Achilles and calf injuries. 'The whole squad has worked hard on and off the field and reconnected well with a short runway from our assembly through to the test on Sunday,' Schmidt said in a Rugby Australia statement. 'I think the players and the wider management are keen to get underway, especially in front of a big crowd here in Newcastle.' The last time the teams met was in France at the Rugby World Cup, where Fiji beat the Wallabies 22-15. ___ Australia: Tom Wright, Harry Potter, Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali'i, Len Ikitau, Max Jorgenson, Noah Lolesio, Tate McDermott; Harry Wilson (captain), Fraser McReight, Langi Gleeson, Jeremy Williams, Nick Frost, Allan Ala'alatoa, David Porecki, James Slipper. Reserves: Billy Pollard, Angus Bell, Zane Nonggorr, Tom Hooper, Carlo Tizzano, Nic White, Ben Donaldson, Filipo Daugunu. Fiji: to be named. ___ AP rugby:

Former captain David Porecki is back in the Wallabies team to take on Fiji after lengthy absence
Former captain David Porecki is back in the Wallabies team to take on Fiji after lengthy absence

News.com.au

time04-07-2025

  • Sport
  • News.com.au

Former captain David Porecki is back in the Wallabies team to take on Fiji after lengthy absence

Former captain David Porecki will wear the Wallabies jersey for the first time in 643 days on Sunday after being named to take on Fiji in Newcastle as calf injuries ruled out a couple of star Australians. The Wallabies haven't played Fiji since the Pacific Islanders caused one of the great World Cup upsets with a 22-15 win in 2023 which eliminated the Australians and set the scene for former coach Eddie Jones' exit. Former NRL gun, and rugby's $5m man, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii will also play his first Test in Australia as the Wallabies officially launch their campaign ahead of three clashes against the British and Irish Lions. Porecki was captain for the final three games of that ill-fated campaign in France, the last time he played for the Wallabies and now the Waratahs hooker joins an entirely new-look gteam under coach Joe Schmidt. The one-off clash with Fiji looms as crucial for the Wallabies to prepare for the three-match showdown with the Lions who have already shown imposing form taking down the Western Force and Queensland Reds. Reigning John Eales medallist as the Wallabies best player, Rob Valetini was a notable name missing from the team after he succumbed to a calf injury with giant Will Skelton also missing for the same reason. Reds captain Tate McDermott, who didn't play the Lions, will start at scrum-half and partner Noah Lolesio, who wore the number 10 jersey in 11 of the Wallabies' 13 Tests last year. 'The whole squad has worked hard on and off the field and reconnected well with a short runway from our assembly through to the Test on Sunday against Fiji,' Schmidt said. 'I think the players and the wider management are keen to get underway, especially in front of a big crowd here in Newcastle, as we kick off an exciting but incredibly demanding 2025 Test match schedule.' Harry Wilson will captain the team while another Wallaby who made his debut on last year's spring tour, Harry Potter has also earned his first test on home soil in a backline which will include 20-year-old Max Jorgensen on the wing and Tom Wright at fullback. The Wallabies haven't played Fiji since the Pacific Islanders caused one of the great World Cup upsets with a 22-15 win which eliminated the Australians and set the scene for former coach Eddie Jones' exit. Wallabies team to play Fiji 1. James Slipper 2. David Porecki 3. Allan Alaalatoa 4. Nick Frost 5. Jeremy Williams 6. Langi Gleeson 7. Fraser McReight 8. Harry Wilson (c) 9. Tate McDermott 10. Noah Lolesio 11. Max Jorgensen 12. Len Ikitau 13. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii 14. Harry Potter 15. Tom Wright Substitutes 16. Billy Pollard 17. Angus Bell 18. Zane Nonggorr 19. Tom Hooper 20. Carlo Tizzano 21. Nic White 22. Ben Donaldson 23. Filipo Daugunu

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